Character Analysis: Part Three
The characters in Ayn Rand’s book are very unique in each of their own ways, and not like most literary characters. This is exemplified by their abnormal characteristics and relationship to Ayn Rand’s theory which shapes their personalities. The main characters Keating, Wynand, Dominique, and Toohey are all seen in these vibrant ways when they are thrown into a melting pot of gloom and despair.
On the list of significant characters within part three, Gail Wynand is the one who plays the most substantial role. The power hungry manipulator turned a minuscule newspaper company into a worldwide mecca. Although he grew up in the slums of New York City, Wynand’s appearance portrays that of “a long line of exquisite breeding” (Rand 391). His onyx like hair is flecked with grey and slicked back into a neat bundle of gleaming locks. His high forehead and prominent cheekbones formulate an appearance of someone picked from the streets of Ancient Rome. His eyes are like looking into the crisp waters of the Mediterranean Sea with opal ovals to compliment the intriguing blue irises. The only unappealing characteristic that he possesses is his lanky body, but he conceals his frail frame by slouching. This creates a sense of elegance and it caught some people’s attention because they pictured Wynand as a spring that could snap at any second. Wynand’s deceitful appearance compliments his manipulative behavior, because he enjoys corrupting men’s identity. For instance, when someone came to work for him and then they quit Wynand would hunt them down and turn their lives into a series of unbearable events. Throughout the course of part three Wynand plays the role of the power seeker and towards the end he marries Dominique. This union between Wynand and Dominique is the main contributor to the theme unrequited love because he adores Dominique whereas she doesn’t express those same feelings back to him.
One character that seems to be the most successful towards the beginning of the novel begins to decline in part three. This character, in particular, is Peter Keating, an established architect who leaches off of other people’s ideas. In part three he enters a gloomy and depressed state of mind, as he loses his marriage with Dominique. He exchanged her for a substantial commission with Gail Wynand, known as Stoneridge. Although he lands that commission his architect firm starts to crumble. This in turn helps prove Ayn Rand’s theory of objectivism, because even though in the public’s eyes he is successful and happy, he is actually a beaten, broken, and unhappy shell of a man.
Dominique is a vital piece to the puzzle of part three. Her gorgeous essence brings out her elegant beauty, and enables her to obtain the attention of many men. Her beauty also allows for easy manipulation of many people in society. Although she has only fell in love with Roark, the theme of unrequited love is prevalent throughout her time in the book, and doubles in part three. With her ex-husband Keating, and her new husband Wynand, she manipulates and breaks the hearts of all those she marries. The heartbreak Keating felt with Dominique’s betrayal just added to his uncontrollable spiral into darkness. This is followed by her dramatic impact on Wynand, such as making him realize his own selfless ways and prompting him to change, makes her an essential character for part three.
The paragon of selflessness is Ellsworth Monkton Toohey, a tiny physically weak man with a considerable voice to the masses. His selflessness is prevalent throughout the book but extremely prominent in part three. In part three, Toohey begins his tyrannical covert invasion of The Banner. From the perspective of powerful figures, Toohey isn’t a threat. This concept is proven by Wynand when Dominique warns him of Toohey’s plan and he deliberately shakes it off and laughs at her assumption. He is instead a sly power-seeker who is in the world to control the people for their own benefit. This plays true in his hostile methods of gaining control and even more prevalent in his truthful speech to Keating where he explains his entire philosophy of people and why they need controlled.
On the list of significant characters within part three, Gail Wynand is the one who plays the most substantial role. The power hungry manipulator turned a minuscule newspaper company into a worldwide mecca. Although he grew up in the slums of New York City, Wynand’s appearance portrays that of “a long line of exquisite breeding” (Rand 391). His onyx like hair is flecked with grey and slicked back into a neat bundle of gleaming locks. His high forehead and prominent cheekbones formulate an appearance of someone picked from the streets of Ancient Rome. His eyes are like looking into the crisp waters of the Mediterranean Sea with opal ovals to compliment the intriguing blue irises. The only unappealing characteristic that he possesses is his lanky body, but he conceals his frail frame by slouching. This creates a sense of elegance and it caught some people’s attention because they pictured Wynand as a spring that could snap at any second. Wynand’s deceitful appearance compliments his manipulative behavior, because he enjoys corrupting men’s identity. For instance, when someone came to work for him and then they quit Wynand would hunt them down and turn their lives into a series of unbearable events. Throughout the course of part three Wynand plays the role of the power seeker and towards the end he marries Dominique. This union between Wynand and Dominique is the main contributor to the theme unrequited love because he adores Dominique whereas she doesn’t express those same feelings back to him.
One character that seems to be the most successful towards the beginning of the novel begins to decline in part three. This character, in particular, is Peter Keating, an established architect who leaches off of other people’s ideas. In part three he enters a gloomy and depressed state of mind, as he loses his marriage with Dominique. He exchanged her for a substantial commission with Gail Wynand, known as Stoneridge. Although he lands that commission his architect firm starts to crumble. This in turn helps prove Ayn Rand’s theory of objectivism, because even though in the public’s eyes he is successful and happy, he is actually a beaten, broken, and unhappy shell of a man.
Dominique is a vital piece to the puzzle of part three. Her gorgeous essence brings out her elegant beauty, and enables her to obtain the attention of many men. Her beauty also allows for easy manipulation of many people in society. Although she has only fell in love with Roark, the theme of unrequited love is prevalent throughout her time in the book, and doubles in part three. With her ex-husband Keating, and her new husband Wynand, she manipulates and breaks the hearts of all those she marries. The heartbreak Keating felt with Dominique’s betrayal just added to his uncontrollable spiral into darkness. This is followed by her dramatic impact on Wynand, such as making him realize his own selfless ways and prompting him to change, makes her an essential character for part three.
The paragon of selflessness is Ellsworth Monkton Toohey, a tiny physically weak man with a considerable voice to the masses. His selflessness is prevalent throughout the book but extremely prominent in part three. In part three, Toohey begins his tyrannical covert invasion of The Banner. From the perspective of powerful figures, Toohey isn’t a threat. This concept is proven by Wynand when Dominique warns him of Toohey’s plan and he deliberately shakes it off and laughs at her assumption. He is instead a sly power-seeker who is in the world to control the people for their own benefit. This plays true in his hostile methods of gaining control and even more prevalent in his truthful speech to Keating where he explains his entire philosophy of people and why they need controlled.